1. Stay away from mining.
2. Read, read, read (https://altcoinherald.com, http://www.coinssource.com, https://www.coingecko.com or others).
3. Don't listen to people whose only goal is to make a short term profit. Crypto-currencies are not (or should not be) about buying/mining shit coins that everybody knows will be dead in 3 months. Cryptos intend to change the way we use our money, the way we use the Internet, and the way we share things between people, without unnecessary intermediaries.
4. Find a few Altcoins you like and feel attracted by. Altcoins that you would really use, because they seem to solve a problem you have, or at least would simplify your life if they succeeded.
5. Download their wallet, try to get some free coins with faucets, or buy a few coins with small investment (<$100) on an exchange. Follow these Altcoins through social medias and community tools. See what happens and understand how it works.
6. Get back here in a few months ;-)